Gagasi FM celebrates a decade of extraordinary women at the 10th annual Shero Awards 2026

This year’s ceremony is particularly special as Gagasi FM celebrates a decade of the Shero Awards – ten years of honouring phenomenal women whose stories may not always make national headlines, but whose impact is deeply felt in homes, workplaces and communities across the province. For ten years, the Shero Awards have remained proudly listener-led. Gagasi FM listeners nominate KZN women who inspire them, making the awards a celebration that is rooted in the real experiences and voices of the communities the station serves.

The 2026 edition will recognise women across 12 categories:

• Creative Arts
  
• Entertainment and Music
  
• Sports
  
• Science and Technology
  
• Big Business Professional
  
• Enterprise
  
• Social Entrepreneurship
  
• Education
  
• Public Service
  
• KZN Ambassador
  
• Community Leader
  
• Shero Honouree

“The Shero Awards are incredibly close to the heart of Gagasi FM because they are more than awards-they are an encouragement to the KZN women, encouraging them to never give up on their work, passion and efforts because they inspire the whole province,” says Gagasi FM’s managing director, Minenhle Dlamini. “For ten years, our listeners have helped us discover and celebrate these extraordinary women. The 10th anniversary is a celebration of every woman who has been nominated, every woman who has won, and every listener who has taken the time to tell us about these Sheros.”

Since inception, the Gagasi FM Shero Awards have celebrated women from diverse backgrounds and industries, creating a platform where women whose efforts have gone unrecognised get to have their stories told and their contributions acknowledged.

Over the years, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Shero Award has been presented to some of South Africa’s most respected women, including:

• Mama Mary Twala (2020) – legendary actress
  
• Mama Gcina Mhlophe (2021) – storyteller, poet and author
  
• Mama Thembi Mtshali-Jones (2022) – theatre and screen icon
  
• Leleti Khumalo (2023) – actress and humanitarian
  
• Thembi Nyandeni (2024) – veteran actress and mentor
  
• Deli Malinga (2025) – award-winning actress.

For the 10th Annual Shero Awards, Gagasi FM is proud to announce Dawn Thandeka King as the 2026 Lifetime Shero honouree. King is being recognised for her exceptional contribution to the arts and her significant role in shaping South Africa’s local entertainment industry over the course of her career. Her body of work, influence and longevity have made her a powerful force in the creative landscape and an inspiration to generations of women.

At the heart of the Shero Awards is a simple but powerful belief: everyday women deserve to be celebrated. Each year, Gagasi FM receives countless heartfelt nominations from listeners across KwaZulu-Natal, sharing stories of mothers, daughters, entrepreneurs, educators, professionals, community activists, creatives, sportswomen and leaders who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

The awards are therefore not simply about fame, status or public recognition. They are about amplifying the voices, stories and journeys of women who are doing extraordinary things in their communities and professional spaces. As Gagasi FM marks ten years of the Shero Awards, the station is celebrating a decade of women who have inspired others, broken barriers, created opportunities, served their communities and continued to make KwaZulu-Natal proud.

Nominations for the 2026 Gagasi FM Shero Awards are officially open on the Gagasi FM website, with submissions closing on Friday, 14 August 2026. The 10th Annual Shero Awards will take place on Saturday, 22 August 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Oceans Mall, Umhlanga.

Corporates and organisations looking to celebrate the phenomenal women within their businesses are invited to secure Shero Awards table packages, while individual tickets are also available through WebTickets.

As Gagasi FM celebrates ten years of honouring women who inspire, lead and uplift, the 2026 Shero Awards promises an unforgettable evening of recognition, celebration and sisterhood.

The 10th Annual Gagasi FM Shero Awards 2026.10 years. Countless stories. Extraordinary women. One powerful legacy.

For table package bookings and enquiries, contact Ntsiki Mchunu at az.oc.599isagag@ikistn.

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For further information, please contact:
Khulekani Shandu, business development lead | Tel: 031 584 5300 | Cell: 083 792 5737 | Email: az.oc.599isagag@sinakeluhk
Ntsike Mchunu, PR and consumer marketing coordinator | Tel: 031 584 5300 | Cell: 081 411 0832 | Email: az.oc.599isagag@ikistn